Spinal cord stimulation for refractory angina pectoris: a case series

Background: Refractory angina pectoris significantly reduces the length and quality of life. One of the methods to control symptoms and improve the quality of life of patients with refractory angina pectoris is spinal cord stimulation. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of spinal cord stimulation in controlling anginal pain in the long-term period over a long follow-up (>7 years). Methods: We retrospectively studied treatment results of 9 patients (6 men and 3 women) in the long-term follow-up from October 2012 to November 2022. Anginal pain and patients' quality of life were assessed using the visual analog scale and the Seattle Angina Questionnaire, respectively. Results: The mean follow-up was 7.33 ± 1.11 years. In the long-term postoperative period, regression of pain according to the visual analog scale was 52.3% (P = .0025). The Seattle Angina Questionnaire showed an improvement of the quality of life by 52.2% (P = .0993). Conclusion: Spinal cord stimulation allows to make control of chronic anginal pain more efficient, improve patients' length and quality of life, and reduce the frequency and severity of disability.